Chardonnay - USA

Both South Africa and the US rather underdelivered this year. Tasters found wines they liked, but there didn’t seem to be the strength in depth that we’ve seen here over the past couple of years.

Perhaps it’s because, as more than one judge pointed out, many New World countries are still getting to grips with the more linear, reductive style that Australia, in particular, has perfected so well over the past 15 years.

If we had a consistent criticism it’s that we’d like to see more good, workmanlike Chardies under £12. It doesn’t all have to be about making Burgundy cru wannabes.

From The Tasting Teams

‘At the low price point there was exciting stuff from the US, but as we climbed in price, the oak went all over the shop. We need wine as well as wood!’ Andre Luis Martins, team leader

Award winners

Found 12 wines

New World: Chardonnay, USA

Jordan, Chardonnay 2017, Russian River Valley, California, USA

'This has it all - complexity and quality, with a lovely structure. Zingy, elegant and persistent.'
Rémi Cousin, Le Gavroche.

'Very intense, rich and savoury.'
Angela Reddin, team leader.

'Opening with notes of butter, lime yoghurt, vanilla and guava on the nose, the palate is fresh and juicy, with a lingering nutty finish. Great with a bouillabaisse.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£32.00 House of Townend

Murphy-Goode, Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

'Elegant, zesty and refreshing, with some Sicilian lemon peel joining light sweet herbs and some oak smoked aromas.'
Luís Martins, team leader.

'A complete wine with an attractive nose, a good fruit, acid and oak profile, and an elegant finish. A great wine for the price.'
Angela Reddin, team leader.

£14.92 Matthew Clark

Château Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, Chardonnay 2018, Washington State, USA

'This has a lovely texture and spice profile, with good control of the oak, and some vanilla notes. A great wine.'
Rémi Cousin, Le Gavroche.

'Fruity notes of peaches, mangoes, ripe clementines, as well as some jasmine - this is quite buttery and rounded.'
Lucie Hammerschmiedova, Portland Restaurant.

£12.27 Enotria&Coe

Whispering Hills, Chardonnay 2018, California, USA

'Red apple notes to start, with some light herbal aromas too, leading to a good palate with gentle cream and green bell pepper notes.'
Luís Martins, team leader.

'Rounded, with warm tropical fruit, mango and ripe peach notes.'
Lucie Hammerschmiedova, Portland Restaurant.

'Incredible value given the intensity of the pretty tropical fruits.'
James Fryer, team leader.

£6.16 Matthew Clark

Goldstone, Drifting, Chardonnay 2017, Lodi, California, USA

'There's typicity here, with nougat, peach and melon, as well as a nutty vanilla cream element, leading to a palate that's juicy and very ripe, with nutty oak.'
Angela Reddin, team leader.

'This ticks all the boxes for Californian Chardonnay at an appealing price point.'
Oliver Zelenczuk, London Shell Co.

£9.35 Matthew Clark

Lockwood Vineyard, Chardonnay 2017, Central Coast, California, USA

'Pleasingly fruit-driven, with excellent concentration and great balance at a fair price.'
Oliver Zelenczuk, London Shell Co.

'Apple and fig on the nose, as well as some melon and guava, with some sweet, nutty oak leading to a nice, restrained palate with citrus and acidity.'
Angela Reddin, team leader.

£15.85 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Cannonball, Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

'With its good mix of tropical and citrus fruit, and everything well-integrated with a little tension, I'd very happily list this.'
Oliver Zelenczuk, London Shell Co.

'There's smoke and toasted oak here, with some pineapple on the nose too, and a palate that's creamy, with a smooth aftertaste.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£12.91 Enotria&Coe

Winner Details

Chardonnay - USA

From The Tasting Teams

Award winners

New World: Chardonnay, USA

Jordan, Chardonnay 2017, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Murphy-Goode, Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

Château Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, Chardonnay 2018, Washington State, USA

Whispering Hills, Chardonnay 2018, California, USA

Goldstone, Drifting, Chardonnay 2017, Lodi, California, USA

Lockwood Vineyard, Chardonnay 2017, Central Coast, California, USA

Cannonball, Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

Ironstone, Chardonnay 2018, Lodi, California, USA

Bonterra, The Roost, Biodynamic Chardonnay 2016, California, USA

Calera, Chardonnay 2017, Mt Harlan, California, USA

Migration, Chardonnay 2017, Sonoma Coast, California, USA

Nathan Kendall, Chardonnay 2018, Finger Lakes, New York State, USA